Fans flocking to Musikfest want to make the most of their time at the festival, enjoying the food, the music, the free entertainment. No one wants to cut their trip short or waste time getting there.

ArtsQuest spokesman Mark Demko recommends visitors use the off-site parking lots, located at Martin Tower at 1170 Eighth Ave., for the north side and the iQor lot, off Emery Street and Route 412, for the South Side. A park-and-ride shuttle service runs nonstop from the lots to the festival grounds, even a half hour after the festival ends each night. Demko says they drop visitors into the heart of the festival.

"It's one of the easiest and most convenient ways," Demko says, adding that thousands use the service throughout the 10-day festival.

Tickets for the shuttle buses from the lots cost $4 for ages 13 and older, and $2 for those 6-12 (kids under 6 can ride for free). That price also includes the cost of a shuttle between the north and south campuses (normally $3 for an all-day pass).

Bethlehem's traffic coordinator Tiffany Wells says offsite lots and parking garages are the best ways to avoid traffic congestion on the way to the festival.

"For those who don't mind driving themselves in, I highly suggest using the parking garages on the north side," she says.

Visitors may have better luck parking on the surface lots along Third Street for a trip to the festival on South Side, but Wells warns the Third Street area does get congested in the afternoons and immediately after the headline concerts.

On the north side, Demko says other parking can be found at the Walnut Street parking garage or the North Street parking garage.

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More parking and shuttle information and directions to Musikfest can be found at musikfest.org.